Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson resumes practice – NFL News
After two weeks of practising with a no-contact jersey, Minnesota Viking’s running back Adrian Peterson was finally allowed to take hits in practice sessions on Monday August 27, 2012.
Peterson first started practising on August 14 after being activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Vikings did not allow other players to touch Peterson.
This update indicates that Peterson is recovering fast from his injury. Previously, there were some serious concerns about whether Peterson would be able to play in Vikings’ season opener.
It now seems likely that Peterson will play some part in Vikings first game of the season against Jacksonville Jaguars on September 09.
Head coach Leslie Frazier was relieved to see Peterson finally returning to his game. He said:
"There were times there was nowhere to go and he had to run into people, and he responded well. That was good to see. There were some good, hard hits. Nothing to the ground, just guys thudding him."
Peterson, a four-time Pro Bowler, has been out most of this offseason nursing his knee injury.
In a game against Washington Redskins in Week 16 of the 2011 season, Peterson injured his knee. After that, Peterson had to go through a reconstructive surgery in order to fix his torn medial collateral ligaments (MCL) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Peterson was put on active PUP list by Vikings on July 28, before the start of the preseason. Vikings have been very cautious of Peterson’s injury.
On Monday, Peterson was ready to take on the first team defence. It will be the first time in many months that the running back will have the opportunity to play freely.
Before the start of practice session on Monday, coach Frazier conveyed a message through running back coach James Saxon to Peterson. Frazier said:
"He told James Saxon, 'You tell coach to tell those defensive players to buckle up,' I knew it would get him fired up."
Peterson was drafted by Vikings as the seventh overall pick in the 2007 draft. Vikings locked him up for a six-year rookie contract worth staggering $40.5 million.
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